PSALM 136 is sometimes called a “Hallelujah Psalm” because it contains no petitions, no complaints & no problems. Instead it contains a list of moments where God worked in history, each answered by the refrain “His love endures forever.”
THE CALL TO PRAISE (vv 1-3)
THE CAUSE FOR PRAISE (vv 5-9): These verses follow the general pattern of Genesis 1. V 5 parallels Genesis 1:1. V 6 goes with Genesis 1:2. Vv 7-9 closely follow Genesis 1:14-18. HEBREWS 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
THE EXODUS (vv 10-15): These verses recall the miracles whereby God freed his people from Egyptian bondage. THE WILDERNESS (v 16): The psalmist sums up 40 years of wandering in one verse: “To him who led his people through the desert, His love endures forever.” THE CONQUEST (vv 16-22): You can find the story of Sihon & Og in Numbers 21.
THROUGHOUT HISTORY (vv 23-25). These verses contain 3 great truths about God: He remembered us (v. 23); He freed us (v. 24); He feeds us (v. 25).
THE CONCLUSION OF PRAISE
1st: History Is Not About Us. History Is About God.
2nd: Our Faith Rests on Facts.: ACTS 26:26, “I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.”
3rd: Remember the Big Picture: His Love Endures Forever. Because God cannot change, his love for us will never change. As you gather with family & friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, come back to Psalm 136 & read it out loud.
FURTHER STUDY: Leviticus 7:12-15; 22:29; Psalm 100; Psalm 147; Jonah 2:9
His Love Endures Forever